Sync with a device

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

You can sync with different types and brands of mobile devices by using Sync Center.

Turn on the device and plug it into your computer. If it is a wireless device, make sure that a wireless connection is established between the device and your computer or connect it by using a universal serial bus (USB) cable.

Open Sync Center by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Sync Center.

In the left pane of Sync Center, click Set up new sync partnerships.

Click the name of the device in the list of available sync partnerships.

On the toolbar, click Set Up.

Select the settings and schedule to determine how and when you want to sync your device with your computer.

To start syncing immediately, click View sync partnerships, click your device in the list of sync partnerships, and then, on the toolbar, click Sync.

Notes

If your device does not appear in this list, try connecting it again or turning it off and on. Then try clicking the refresh button in Sync Center. If the device still does not appear, go to the next section of this help topic for possible explanations.
Some sync partnerships do not have any sync settings or a schedule that you can adjust.

If you don't see your device in the list of available sync partnerships

If your device does not appear in the list of available sync partnerships and you have already tried connecting it to your computer again and turning it off and on, Windows might not detect the device or it might not work with Sync Center.

Before you ask the manufacturer if the device supports this version of Windows, try installing any software that came with your device. This often includes a driver that allows Windows to recognize your device. This software might also include sync capabilities. You might have to sync your device using this program instead of Sync Center. Try opening this program and checking if it includes sync capabilities.

If no software came with the device, you might be able to download a compatible program from the manufacturer's website. Not all sync software works with Sync Center. If it doesn't, you will have to sync your device using software from the manufacturer, rather than Sync Center.

For more information, see Adding a portable device.

NoteIf you are unable to get a device to work with Sync Center, it may help to check if your device is listed in Device Manager. Even if Windows recognizes your device, however, it might not be compatible with Sync Center. To check this, see Open Device Manager.

It is often helpful to check the contents of a device before attempting to sync it with your computer. For information, see View the contents of a device or folder before syncing.
You can sync your contacts with some mobile devices, allowing you to take your contacts with you wherever you go. To sync contacts with a mobile device, the device must be able to read the .contact file that Windows creates for each individual contact. The device must also be compatible with Sync Center, which Windows uses to sync files between a computer and a mobile device. For more information, see Can I use contacts with other programs besides Windows Mail?
To sync a Windows Mobile device with a computer running Windows Vista, you must use Windows Mobile Device Center software. The first time you plug a Windows Mobile device into a computer that is connected to the Internet and running Windows Vista, Windows Mobile Device Center will automatically download and install. After you set up your device to sync in Windows Mobile Device Center, the sync results will appear in Sync Center.

Sync with a device

If you don't see your device in the list of available sync partnerships

See also